Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-03-13
| A STORY OF CHARITY.

= tit iiincninR, Hall idlntinR III tie oit-
ing atmosphere. Yet but half the story
was told by his tattered garments. The
pinched and sunken features, the wistful
look Of those blue eyes and the weary,
dropping attitude of that emaciated figure
needed no spoken language 10 explain
nat hunger as well as cold had here an
unfortunate victim. The lad could not
have been much over 10 years Of age; his
face was fair and clean, its expression de-
noting a manly disposition. For more
than an hour he sat there in front of the
store from which he had been so merci-
lsasly driven forth, addressing every male
pedestrian with the short, business-like
Interrogation; BLACK yer bootss Only
three cents" He received no responses,
not even so much as a brief negative.
Come men who strobe by in warm
s.arctics" looked down carcleSsly upon
the shivering little fellow and smiled at
the absurdity of stopping in the streets to
have their boots blacked on such day.
Others wondered why the lazy little
urchin did not occupy his time in the
more sensible vocation of selling news
papers, and the proprietor of the store,
happening 10 look out of his window at
the hurrying throng, caught sight Of the
ragged bootblack and wondered why the
police did not take care of such vaga-
bond. At last there came along one
young man more observing than the rest.
He saw that the poor boy was suffering
from cold and hunger and his heart was
touched. Stopping he said: "Wen, little
chap, isn't this pretty cold work for
your"
"Kind'r, SIR" answered the boy, as
with an effort he dropped ON his knees
and pushed forward his box. Have
your boots blacked?"
"No, guess not" laughingly replied
ne young man. 1T is a little too cold
70 stand out here"
"Black 'em quick, sir!' said the urchin,
hooking appealingly up into the eyes of
his long-waited-for customer.
'What is your name" asked the gen.
Heman, paying no attention to the box,
which had been pushed close TO his feet.
"Dan, SIR"
"How loSg have you been sitting here,
DAM
"'Bout an hour"
"Why don't you peddle newspapers?
No man wants to p,t his boots blacked in
the streets such weather as this.
please, sir, hain't got no money to
buy papers, replied the little fellow.
..0h, that is the trouble, is it! What
would you do with 10 cents if should
give it TO your" pleasantly inquired the
young man. As he said this he drew off
one of his gloves, unbuttoned his coat,
and took out well filled pocketbook.
II would get something to eat, !"
answered Dan eagerly.
"Are you very hungry"
"Yes, sir, but don't want nothing for
myself. My mother is sick. and there
amt nothin' in the house for her.
THAT is too bad" murinured the
gentleman sympathetically, as he FUN
bled in his pockets for some change
there were only bills in his wallet. From
one pocket TO another went his hands
little Dams eyes following each motion
with a hungry expectancy-until the
hst pocket had been searched, and no
coins could be found. "Well. now, /
am sorry, my little man"-and tone Of
real regret gave emphasis TO the words
''but / have nothing less than a S. bill"
Little Dams eyes became misty, and
there was a suspicious quiver about his
hips. But he was not chicken hearted
and was no beggar. The tears that
started were forced hack. and the re-
bellious sob was chokcd down. With a
determined toss Of the head he stood
erect and returned a simple thank you,
IN" to the young mans parting words.
"Am sorry, Dan, but may see you to-
morrow"
For few moments longer little Dan
fingered in the street. vainly appealing
10 the passers by for employment. But
he received nothing but rebufTs and
harsh words. Two ladies, attracted by his
odd appearance, paused TO ask him why
he did not 20 home. II want TO earn
some money first" he replied; my
mother Is sick" The ladies exchanged
significant clances. TOO bad" said
one 10 the other as they walked away,
''that children 80 young should be taught
the tricks of professional bcggars." Soon
. policeman touched the half frozen 10y
on the shoulder and babe him "move
on. and in obedience TO the stern man.
date little Dan picked up his box and
wearily trudged away
III.
starvation Hospitalr' the place was
usually called. II was one of those dilapi-
dated and neglected frame tenements
which swarm with human beings very
much a. a wharf hole swarms with rats.
The building had been erected many
years before and used as a planning mill,
but when trade and business enterprise
departed from the neighborhood the old
structure was hastily altered into cheap
lodging house. After awhile the place
was neglected by its owner and permitted
70 60 to decay, and each year il sunk
lower in the grade Il human habitations.
None but the most destitute could he in
duced 10 live there, and yet its barren,
nl-kept rooms were always full.
In one Of the upper rooms, lighted only
by a small and broken window, and APP
preached by series Of rickety stairways
and dark, vermin infested corridors, a
woman lay dying Of consumption. Want
and exposure had brought the disease,
and had ngrtured it 80 assiduously that
death seemed but to toy with It's victim.
The room was small and destitute OF fur
niture; nothing save the low iron bed
stead, upon which reposed the emaciated
form Of the dying woman was there TO
relive the barrenness Of the apartment.
A bent and broken candlestick stood
empty upon the broad wooden mantel-
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